Modernising Cancer Services Some Thoughts from Western Europe Jean Mossman February 2013

Key issues Make cancer a priority for policy makers Develop and implement a national cancer strategy – National protocols – Audit outcomes Get healthcare professionals to work together Strengthen the patient voice Cost containment

Make cancer a priority for policy makers Develop an evidence base to demonstrate how outcomes compare to those in other countries Use personal stories to illustrate the data Demonstrate what could be achieved if cancer services are improved – Solutions, not just problems

Develop and implement a national cancer strategy Work with clinical experts, epidemiologists and health economists to develop a framework Consult wisely to gain ‘buy-in’ from oncology thought leaders Publish the strategy so everyone knows what they have to achieve Audit against strategy at regular (but not necessarily frequent) intervals

Get healthcare professionals to work together Without agreement on how to manage patients, difficult to demand change Patient groups can have a role in bringing healthcare professionals together Work with professional associations Need to have support for specialisation

Strengthen the patient voice Become professional in your organisations – Get organised Work together Learn from the experience in other countries Use the media Work with healthcare professionals – Let them see what value you bring Don’t rely on emotion

Cost containment As more treatments become available, cost of cancer care will increase Cost-containment measures such as HTA will be implemented Be prepared: – Collect patient evidence about the illness and how patients value the treatments – Learn about these processes so you can contribute

Conclusion You can make change happen It takes time and persistence Let others help